U.S. patent number 5,482,329 [Application Number 08/065,980] was granted by the patent office on 1996-01-09 for pipe adaptor and installing device.
Invention is credited to Delmar L. McCall, Donald P. Millerick, Jeffery T. Millerick.
United States Patent |
5,482,329 |
McCall , et al. |
January 9, 1996 |
Pipe adaptor and installing device
Abstract
An adaptor for extending a pipe through a barrier and securing
the pipe therein which comprises a pipe segment having a leading
end for insertion through the barrier and a trailing end to remain
at the insertion side of the barrier upon insertion of the adaptor,
each end being adapted to receive a pipe fitting. The leading end
is provided with peripheral cutting teeth for boring a hole through
and thereby penetrating the barrier upon rotation of the pipe
around its longitudinal axis. An externally threaded section along
the pipe is sized and configured to be self-threaded though the
hole bored by the penetration end to secure the pipe therein and a
stop is located toward the trailing end from the threaded section
to engaging the outer surface of the barrier to stop further
penetration of the adaptor. An installation tool which may be
rotationally driven by a hand drill is also provided. The tool
holds the adaptor at the trailing end for rotation of the adaptor
for drilling the hole and insertion of the adapter. The tool mounts
a drill bit coaxially with the adaptor with the drill bit extending
forward through the bore of the adaptor beyond the leading end
thereof for drilling a pilot hole as a guide for drilling of the
larger hole concentric therewith by the adaptor.
Inventors: |
McCall; Delmar L. (Cotati,
CA), Millerick; Donald P. (Santa Rosa, CA), Millerick;
Jeffery T. (Cotati, CA) |
Family
ID: |
22066469 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/065,980 |
Filed: |
May 21, 1993 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
285/39; 137/318;
285/140.1; 285/193; 285/206; 285/221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L
41/14 (20130101); Y10T 137/6123 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
F16L
41/14 (20060101); F16L 41/08 (20060101); F16L
041/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;285/221,46,192,193,161,424,206,39,40 ;137/359,360,317,318 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nicholson; Eric K.
Assistant Examiner: Shackelford; Heather Chun
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Horton; Corwin R.
Claims
We claim:
1. An adaptor for extending a pipe through a barrier and securing
the pipe therein comprising a pipe segment with a leading end for
insertion through the barrier and a trailing end that remains at
the insertion side of the barrier upon insertion of the adaptor,
each end being adapted for connection to a pipe fitting, and
having:
a. a stop extending outward from the exterior of the pipe segment
at a position therealong at a distance toward the trailing end from
said leading end for engaging the surface of the barrier to stop
penetration of said segment beyond said position,
b. an externally threaded section extending along said segment in
the direction of said leading end from said stop, the threads
thereof being configured to engage the sides of the hole to draw
the threaded section into the hole upon rotation of the adaptor
about its longitudinal axis, and
c. a plurality of cutting means at the periphery of the leading
end, said cutting means being actuated by rotation of said adaptor
about it longitudinal axis, for cutting a hole in said barrier of a
size to receive the threaded section in self-threading relationship
upon rotation of said adaptor about its longitudinal axis, to
thereby engage the sides of the hole to draw the threaded section
into the hole and secure the adaptor therein, upon further rotation
of the adaptor.
2. An adaptor as in claim 1 and wherein said hole cutting means is
configured to cut a hole at least about equal to the root diameter
of the threaded section and no larger than about equal to the crest
diameter of the threaded section.
3. An adaptor as in claim 2 and wherein said hole cutting means
comprises cutting teeth disposed about the rim of the leading end
of said adaptor.
4. An adaptor as in claim 3 and wherein said teeth are formed from
the pipe wall at the leading end and project in the leading
direction therefrom.
5. An adaptor as in claim 1 and wherein said stop comprises an
annular flange.
6. An adaptor as in claim 5 and wherein the periphery of said
annular flange is ridged for gripping by a tool for rotation of
said pipe segment about its longitudinal axis for installation of
said adaptor.
7. An adaptor as in claim 1 and wherein said pipe segment further
comprises a leading section extending from the leading end towards
the externally threaded section, said leading section having an
external diameter about equal to or smaller than the root diameter
of the threaded section.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to adaptors for securing a pipe extending
through a wall, mounting bracket or the like and to tools for
installing such adaptors. Conventionally, when it is desired to
extend a pipe, such for water, gas or other fluid, through a wall
or other barrier, a hole is first bored through the barrier to
receive a pipe and one end of a pipe section or adaptor is then
inserted through the hole to cross the barrier. It is frequently
desirable to fix the pipe in the barrier against movement,
particularly where a faucet or other device is mounted on a pipe
end at one side of the barrier. This is then typically effected by
use of an adaptor consisting of a pipe section which is inserted in
the hole. The pipe section is then fixed by annular flanges or the
like secured to the pipe at either side of the barrier, typically
by threaded connections with the pipe. After the adaptor is
secured, piping and/or other appropriate implements, such as a
faucet, are then connected at either end of the adaptor.
This operation is inherently inefficient as it requires a number of
separate operations. Additionally, to secure the pipe in this
fashion it is usually necessary for the installer to move from one
side of the barrier to the other to complete the operation, which
is frequently inconvenient and time consuming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to adaptors for securing a pipe extending
through a wall or the like of the general type described provided
with means for fixing the pipe in the barrier against movement,
particularly in the direction through the barrier. In accordance
with the present invention a hole for the pipe may be drilled and a
pipe section is inserted in the hole and secured all in a single
continuous operation from only one side of the barrier with an
adaptor advantageously of unitary construction.
The adapters of this invention comprise a pipe segment having a
leading end for insertion through the barrier and a trailing end to
remain at the insertion side of the barrier upon insertion of the
adaptor, each end being adapted to receive a pipe fitting. The
leading end is provided with peripheral cutting teeth for boring a
hole through and thereby penetrating the barrier upon rotation of
the pipe around its longitudinal axis.
As another feature of this invention, an externally threaded
section is provided along the pipe and is sized and configured to
be self-threaded though the hole bored by the penetration end to
secure the pipe therein. That is, the threads are provided with a
pitch and depth that will draw the threaded section of the mounting
device fully into the hole to secure it from movement in the
direction through the hole. Additionally, a stop is located toward
the trailing end from the threaded section to engage the outer
surface of the barrier to stop further penetration of the
adaptor.
As yet another feature of this invention a novel installation tool
is provided for installation of the adaptor. This tool is adapted
to hold one end of the adaptor for rotation thereof for drilling
the hole and insertion of the adapter into the hole by means of the
self-tapping threads. The installation tool is adapted to be
rotationally driven by a hand drill. The tool holds and supports
the adaptor from the trailing end for rotation of the adaptor for
drilling the hole and insertion of the adapter. Such support
includes a central projection on the tool that is received into the
bore of the adaptor.
Advantageously, this tool mounts a drill for drilling a pilot hole
as a guide for drilling of the larger hole concentric therewith by
the adaptor. An axial bore is provided in the tool extending in the
leading direction through the central projection support that is
coaxial with the adaptor mounted thereon. The drill bit extends
through this bore and then forward through the bore of the adaptor
beyond the leading end thereof for drilling a pilot hole as a guide
for drilling of the larger hole concentric therewith by the
adaptor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the adaptor of the
present invention mounted in a wall, secured in place by a jamb nut
at one side of the wall and bearing an escutcheon and a faucet at
the other side;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the adaptor of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary isometric view of the adaptor of FIG. 2
taken from the opposite end;
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the escutcheon shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the jamb nut shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the installation
tool of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the installation tool of FIG. 6
bearing an adaptor of the present invention in position for
installation thereof;
FIG. 8 is front view of a bracket for mounting the adaptor of this
invention;
FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an adaptor of this invention mounted
on the bracket of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following description illustrates the manner in which the
principles of the invention are applied but is not to be construed
as limiting the scope of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 1 generally
indicates an adaptor of this invention which extends through a hole
2 in wall 3 having an inner surface 4 and outer surface 5. Adaptor
1 is of unitary construction, of brass or other suitable material,
and comprises a pipe segment 6 having an annular flange 7 at an
intermediate position along the length thereof. Flange 7 is located
adjacent the outer surface of the wall when installed and acts as a
stop against further inward movement of adaptor 1 through hole and
as a seal for the hole 2 at the outer surface 5 of wall 3. The
outer periphery 8 of flange 7 is hexagonal or of other ridged
configuration for cooperation with an installation tool for the
adaptor as will be described and for mounting an on adaptor 1 at
the outer surface 5 of wall 3. A central bore 9 extends the length
of pipe 6 for fluid flow and accomodating terminal connectors. A
terminal portion 10 of pipe segment 6 extends from flange 7 in the
direction outward of wall 3. Terminal portion 10 is suitably sized
and threaded, as shown, to form a male connector for receiving the
female connector of a faucet 11 or other desired fitting, including
further piping. Alternatively, terminal portion 10 may constitute a
female connection by appropriately sizing and configuring the bore
therethrough, e.g. with internal threads, to receive a male pipe
connection.
Extending along pipe segment 6 from flange 7 inwardly into and
though hole 2 is a threaded section 12 bearing exterior threads 13.
Threaded section 12 serves to engage the sides of hole 2 to secure
the adaptor against movement through the hole in either direction.
Threaded section extends a distance beyond the inner surface 4 of
wall 3 to receive an internally threaded jamb nut 14 that is
tightened against the inner 4 surface of wall 3 to further secure
adaptor 1 against movement.
As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, extending from threaded section 12
in the direction distant from wall 3 is terminal portion 15 of pipe
segment 6. The terminal end of terminal portion 15 is provided with
cutting teeth 16 around its periphery and projecting in the
terminal direction. Teeth 16 are adapted for cutting a hole in the
wall or other desired barrier upon rotation of adaptor 1 about its
longitudinal axis. The outer diameter of terminal portion 15 is
smaller than the diameter at threaded section 12, taken at the
crest of threads 13 (crest diameter), and is desirably about the
same diameter as that of section 12, taken at the root of threads
13 (root diameter).
Terminal portion 15 is also adapted for connection to piping or
other fittings after installation of adaptor 1. As illustrated in
this embodiment, a terminal portion 17 of bore 9 located at
terminal portion 15 is sized for receiving conventional copper pipe
for producing a conventional soldered pipe joint. Alternatively,
bore portion 17 may be internally threaded to receive a threaded
pipe end or the outer diameter of terminal portion 15 may be sized
so that it is received by a female pipe connection.
The depth and pitch of threads 13 and the crest diameter relative
to the diameter of the hole cut by teeth 15 are all selected, in
relation to the types of wall materials or the like with which
adaptor 1 will be employed, e.g. gypsum board, fiberboard, plywood,
etc., so that threaded section will be self-tapping. That is,
threads 13 are configured so that, upon rotation of adaptor 1 about
its longitudinal axis, threaded section 12 will be pulled into the
hole cut by teeth 16 of terminal portion 15, creating complementary
threading in at sides of the hole as it penetrates to secure
threaded section 12 in the hole.
As shown in FIG. 4, escutcheon 9 is of generally disk shape bearing
a central hole 18 sized to receive terminal portion 10 of adaptor 1
and slide therealong to a position adjacent flange 7 (see FIG. 1).
Surrounding hole 18 is a socket 19 configured to receive flange 7
in mating relationship, in this case by its hexagonal shape, so
that escutcheon 9 is fixed against rotation relative to adaptor 1.
Escutcheon 9 bears a peripheral skirt 20 to rest against the
surface of wall 3 upon installation. Escutcheon 9 is held in place
by an "O" ring 21 bearing against faucet 11. A slot 22 is provided
in skirt 19 for convenience in prying off escutcheon 9 when
desired.
As shown in FIG. 5, jamb nut 14 comprises a flat circular plate 23
having a central opening 24 with a reinforcing ring 25 at the
opening extending to one side of plate 23. Opening 24 is internally
threaded to receive threads 13 of threaded section 12 of adaptor 1.
Jamb nut 14 bears lugs 26 for hand tightening and loosening
thereof.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an embodiment of the installation
tool of this invention is generally indicated by reference numeral
30 comprising a chuck 31 which includes a cylindrically-shaped body
32 having a coaxial extension at the rearward end thereof forming a
shank 33. Shank 33 is sized to be received, in turn, by the chunk
of a conventional hand drill (not shown), and is a hexagonally
shaped to facilitate gripping by the hand drill chuck. Chuck body
32 has a central cavity 34 at its forward end shaped to receive
both terminal portion 10 of pipe segment 6 and flange 7 of adaptor
1. Cavity or socket 34 includes a hexagonal portion 35 which
engages the hexagonal periphery 8 flange 7 to prevent rotation of
flange 7, and hence of adaptor 1, relative to chuck 31. A
cylindrical support shaft 36 is fixed to chuck body 32 in socket
34, projects forward thereof and is coaxial therewith. Shaft 36 has
an outer diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of
pipe segment 6 of adaptor 1 so that pipe segment 6 may be slidably
engaged on shaft 37 to support adaptor 1 during the
installation.
A coaxial bore 37 extends through both shaft 36 and chuck body 32
to receive a pilot drill bit 38 with the drilling end thereof
extending a short distance forward of the terminal end of terminal
portion 15 of adaptor 1. A set screw 39 is provided in chuck body
32 to secure drill bit 38 in this position.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the diameter of terminal portion 17 of
bore 9 is greater than for than for the remaining length of bore 9,
thus providing an inner abutment or ledge 40. This provides a
thinner wall section at terminal portion 15, thus cutting teeth 16
are thinner, facilitating their cutting action. Additionally, ledge
40 will act both as an abutment for a male connection received in
portion 17 and as a stop to prevent the plug cut from the wall by
teeth 16 from penetrating further into pipe segment 6, thus
facilitating removal of the plug.
For installation in wall 3, adaptor 1 is first mounted on
installation tool 30 as described and shank 33 of the installation
tool is engaged in the chuck of a hand drill. Using the hand drill,
the hole is then started in the wall at the selected installation
position with pilot drill and drilling is continued with the
terminal portion 15 engaging the wall and drill a hole through the
wall in much the same fashion as a conventional hole drill bit.
Upon further penetration of adaptor 1 into hole 2 thus formed,
threads 13 of threaded section 12 engage the sides of the hole and
continued rotation of adaptor 1 with the drill will cause it to be
pulled completely into the hole up to flange 7 as shown in FIG. 1.
Installation tool 30 is then withdrawn. The plug formed in cutting
the hole is retained in terminal portion 15 of pipe segment 6 due
to ledge 40 and is then easily pushed out by thrusting a rod or the
like through the pipe from the outside.
With adaptor 1 thus secured in the hole, the operator may then move
to the inside of wall 3 to apply jamb nut 14 on the exposed portion
of threaded section 12 and against inner surface 4 of wall 3 and
then to connect terminal portion 15 of pipe segment 6 to service
piping or the like as appropriate. Escutcheon 9 is then mounted
over terminal portion 10 and against the outer surface 5 of wall 3
and faucet 11 or other desired fitting applied onto terminal
portion 10.
Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the adaptor of this invention is
also advantageously employed as a pipe connection and mounting
means for non-barrier applications or in barrier applications prior
to installation of the barrier. This is particularly useful for
installation for plaster walls or the like. As shown in FIG. 9, for
this purpose a bracket 50 is employed for mounting adaptor 1.
Bracket 50 comprises a flange 51 bearing a central hole 52 having a
diameter matching that of threaded section 12 of adaptor 1 so that
terminal portion 15 of adaptor 1 may be inserted into hole 52 and
then, upon rotation adaptor 1, threaded section 12 will be securely
engaged in hole 52. Bracket 50 also is provided with appropriate
means for securing it to a support, in this case a flange 53 at
right angles to flange 51 which is secured to a wall stud 54 or
other suitable upright.
As shown in FIG. 8, bracket 50 may be fabricated from a sheet metal
blank 55 provided with nail holes 56. Notches 57 are provided to
facilitate bending of blank 55 to adjust the angle between flanges
51 and 3 as desired.
When employed with bracket 50 for mounting in a wall application
prior to installation of the wall, as shown in FIG. 9, threaded
section 12 adaptor 1 may be only partially threaded through hole 52
so that flange 7 is spaced from flange 51 a distance equal to the
thickness of the wall that will be installed. Jamb nut 14 is then
secured at the inner side of flange 51 to further secure adaptor 1
in this position. Terminal portion 15 of pipe segment 6 can then be
connected to service piping, such as elbow 58 and pipe 59 shown in
FIG. 9.
Thus by practice of this invention a pipe may be extended through a
barrier and secured therein more efficiently and with fewer
operations. A hole for the pipe may be drilled and a pipe segment
inserted in the hole and secured, all in a single continuous
operation from only one side of the barrier.
* * * * *